Obama administration still deciding on Syria plan

There’s a sense of urgency at the White House about the ongoing issues in Syria. NBC’s Kristen Welker reports.

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>>now to nbc's kristen welker at the
white house
where the administration is trying to find some kind of international collusion.

>>the
obama
administration is trying to build an international coalition as it determines how to respond. second of state
john kerry
worked the phones today.
president obama
spoke with the
president of france
just hours ago. the urgency here at the
white house
is palpable. as protesters rally outside the
white house
urging the
obama
administration to help syria.

>>the people of syria --

>> reporter: top officials continue to huddle inside to determine how to respond. according to one administration official based on the number of victims and other evidence, there is very little doubt at this point that a
chemical weapon
was used by the syrian regime in this incident. the administration remains skeptical about granting access to the site. one official called the move, too late to be credible. the
british foreign secretary
also has doubts.

>>we have to be realistic now about what the u.n. team can achieve.

>> reporter: defense secretarychuck hagel
says he is getting ready for the next steps.

>>palm has asked the
defense department
to prepare options for all contingencies. we have done that.

>> reporter: right now four guides missiles are in the mediterranean. also at least one
u.s. navy
submarine is nearby. on the table, limited
air strikes
, most likely
cruise missiles
targeting key assad
military command
posts.

>>i hope the president as soon as we get back to washington will ask for authorization from congress to do something in a very surgical and proportional way.

>>we have to move and move quickly.

>> reporter: but some lawmakers continue to urge caution.

>>we have to verify that it was directed by the assad regime. because that will allow us to build been international coalition to take further steps.

>> reporter: cole lynn powell --

>>i am less sure of the resistance, what do they represent? and is it becoming more radicalized with more
al qaeda
coming?